HOW LONG WILL IT LAST!! - In your Home

Schedule of Normal Life
"The Old House Web'

Where did my value you......

Appliances

Life Estimate in Years
Dishwashers
5 to 12 years
Disposals
5 to 12 years
Washers and dryers
8 to 12 Years
Water heaters
8 to 12 Years
Refrigerators
15 to 20 Years
Stoves
15 to 20 Years

Gutters and Downspouts
Copper
Life Estimate in Years
Galvanized
15 to 20 Years

Life of home if well-maintained
Heating and Air Conditioning
Life Estimate in Years

Warm air furnace
8 to 12 years
Heat pumps
8 to 12 years
Air conditioning compressors
8 to 15 years
Gas chillers
8 to 15 years
Hot water boilers
30 to 50 years

Plumbing

Life Estimate in Years
Gas hot water heater
8 to 12 years
Electric hot water heater
10-15 years
Private disposal systems (septic)
15 to 25 years
Galvanized water pipes
30 to 50 years

Roofs

Life Estimate in Years
Selvage or asphalt roll
12 to 20 years
Wood shake and shingle
15 to 20 years
Asphalt
15 to 20 years
Fiberglass
15 to 20 years
Asbestos shingle
30-50 years
Slate
40-75 years

A housing boom could be coming, some experts say - Oct. 12, 2012

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The long-battered housing market is finally starting to get back on its feet. But some experts believe it could soon become another housing boom.

Signs of recovery have been evident in the recent pick ups in home prices, home sales and construction. Foreclosures are also down and the Federal Reserve has acted to push mortgage rates near record lows.

Obama's economy

A look at where the economy stood when Obama took office and what's changed since.

View photos

But while many economists believe this emerging housing recovery will produce only slow and modest improvement in home prices, construction and jobs, others believe the rebound will be much stronger.

Barclays Capital put out a report recently forecasting that home prices, which fell by more than a third after the housing bubble burst in 2007, could be back to peak levels as soon as 2015.

"In our view, the housing market had undergone a dramatic over-correction during the prior five years, resulting in pent-up demand for housing purchases that would spark a rapid rise in housing starts," said Stephen Kim, an analyst with Barclays, in a note to clients.

In addition to what Kim sees as a big rebound in building, he's bullish on home prices, expecting rises of 5% to 7.5% a year.

Related: Where housing is most (and least) affordable

Construction is expected to be even stronger, with numerous experts forecasting home construction to grow by at least 20% a year for each of the next two years. Some believe building could be back near the pre-bubble average of about 1.5 million new homes a year by 2016, about double the 750,000 homes expected this year.

"We think the recovery is for real this time around," said Rick Palacios, senior analyst with John Burns Real Estate Consulting. "If you look across the U.S. economy right now, there are only a handful of industries looking at 20-30% growth over the next 4-5 years, and housing is one of those."

Home builder stocks are up 162% in the last 12 months, led by a 250% jump at PulteGroup (PHM). Other leading builders including DR Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), KB Home (KBH) and Lennar (LEN) have all seen their stocks more than double over that time. New orders at publicly-traded builders are up 30% since January, according to Kim.

Related: Is buying rental property now a sure bet?

Palacios said stocks in other sectors, from manufacturers of drywall to flooring to kitchen and bath fixtures, have all more than doubled as well this year.

The housing rebound can have a ripple effect that could help get the entire economy growing at a much stronger pace, which will add to more demand for housing.

"That turn in the [housing] market is occurring now and it should become a boom by 2015. It will be powerful enough ... to lift the entire U.S. economy," said Roger Altman, chairman of Evercore Partners and former deputy Treasury secretary, in a column for the Financial Times.

Altman said he expects housing will add 4 million jobs to the economy over the next five years, as pent-up demand for home purchases drives building and and home prices higher.

First Published: October 12, 2012: 1:01 PM ET

via money.cnn.com

This is great news we have all been waiting for

Utah home sales continue upward trend | Deseret News

SANDY — Utah home sales climbed for the sixth consecutive month in November, rising more than 10 percent compared to last year, according to a report from the Utah Association of Realtors.

For the year, sales were up eight percent compared to the same period in 2010. Since the beginning of the year, more than 30,000 homes have been sold.

“The combination of low interest rates, high affordability and improved employment conditions has brought out many would-be buyers,” said Lori Chapman, 2012 president of the Utah Association of Realtors.

Click to enlarge

Tom Smart, Deseret News

Realtor Lisa Blakemore places informational fliers at a recently listed home in the Avenues.

From the archive

• Utah home sales up in October – Dec. 6, 2011
• Utah home sales up in October – Dec. 6, 2011
• Wasatch Front home sales climbing, prices falling – Oct. 27, 2011
• Wasatch Front home sales and prices down – Aug. 2, 2011
• Home sales show stability along Wasatch Front – April 26, 2011

The upward trend in home sales is expected to continue into the new year, the report stated. The number of contracts signed to buy homes rose 31 percent in November compared to the same month last year, while pending sales increased for the seventh straight month.

“Pending sales measure future activity since it typically takes a month or two after the contract is signed for the home to close and officially sell,” Chapman explained.

In November, the number of homes for sale fell more than 23 percent compared to last year. Inventory levels have been falling for a year, with November marking the fewest number of homes on the market since April 2007. In addition, the number of new listings was down about 12 percent.

“Our most recent indicators are pointing to both increases in demand and decreases in supply, a combination that bodes well for housing in our state,” Chapman said. “Our inventory absorption rate is also heading closer to a more balanced range, which is typically six or seven months. As this number heads into that territory, it is more likely that prices will rise.”

The median sales price of Utah homes sold was $170,000 in November, down about 9 percent from last year. For the year, prices fell about 8 percent.

The report stated that the low prices combined with record-low interest rates brought affordability to near record levels. The UAR’s Affordability Index stood at 167 in November, meaning a typical Utah family makes 167 percent of what is needed to buy the median-priced home under prevailing interest rates.

The record was set in September when the index registered 168.

E-mail: jlee@desnews.com

via deseretnews.com

Top 5 Indicators that Will Give Americans Confidence About the Housing Market | Trulia Pro

With the U.S. economy still struggling, over half of Americans (54 percent) aren’t sure the President can stabilize the housing market over the next year, according to Trulia’s latest consumer survey on American attitudes on housing policy.

Harris Interactive conducted this online survey on Trulia’s behalf and asked more than 2,000 Americans what signals will give them confidence that the housing market is getting back on track.

Jed Kolko, Trulia’s Chief Economist, says,  “Americans won’t believe our economy is improving until they see real proof.” Luckily for agents, the proof that consumers are looking for lies in key data points that agents can present to clients to help give them the confidence to buy:

1. Fewer defaults and foreclosures

“Fewer defaults and foreclosures” tops the list as a key factor indicating recovery, suggesting that consumers will be more confident in the market’s recovery if they believe that their neighborhood as a whole is doing better.

“As long as there are foreclosed homes and lingering for-sale signs in neighborhoods across the country, people are faced with constant, everyday reminders that the housing market is still struggling,” says Kolko. For real estate professionals, showing potential clients and customers local statistics on decreases in defaults can be a major tool in building the confidence consumers need to make a market move.

2. More home sales

The survey data showed home sales matter the most next to defaults and foreclosures. With 38 percent of the votes, this data indicates that statistics showing increased home sales can be a major tool to get consumers to believe in the market’s recovery.

Soon, communicating local home sales data is about to become even more important because of a lingering National Association of Realtors’ revision to 2005-2011 national home sales data which will likely show national numbers have been to high due to inflation.

For agents who have local areas where sales have increased, data driven presentations can motivate clients who may be straddling the fence on the decision to purchase.

3. Fewer vacant homes

While empty homes mean opportunity, they are a downer when it comes to consumer confidence. ”Neighborhood vacancies are like second-hand smoke, hurting everyone around them,” says Kolko.

Survey data showed, with 32 percent of the responses, declines in vacancies are top confidence builders for consumers.

For agents, this means the value of placing a “sold” sign is not only a great moment for the buyer, but for the neighborhood as a whole. To track vacancies by states, check the U.S. Census Bureau’s quarterly release on home vacancies, which breaks down the information by both state and Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

4. Lower Mortgage Rates

The survey data says “lower mortgage rates” are another of the top five confidence builders and received 25 percent of votes. That means it’s important, not only to offer clients updates on the day-to-day changes in rates, but also to show the bigger picture.

When it comes down to visual representations of today’s market opportunity, mortgage rate changes over the past 30 years is probably one of the most dramatic graphs an agent can present to a client. To make your own graph of mortgage rates and see the dramatic change, visit Bankrate.com’s Graph Rate Trends Page.

5. Higher Homeownership Rates

Lastly, the survey showed nothing sells ownership like ownership. Higher Homeownership Rates received 23% of the votes when it came to building confidence among consumers.

This indicates that seeing reminders of sales activity in their area and ownership benefits are keys to motivate clients to make a move.

via pro.truliablog.com

Realtor: Now is the time to buy, sell homes in Utah

OGDEN -- The volume of Utah homes for sale is up and interest rates are down, so if you're looking to buy or sell a home, now is the perfect time.

Compared to last year, real estate volume is up 30 percent and interest rates haven't been this low for years, said Bob Hill, president of Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors.

That's the good news.

The bad news is, the value of your home over the past year is possibly down as much as 3 percent, but the experts say not to let that discourage you too much.

"A house you would have bought for $100,000 last year would have cost you about $97,000 this year," Hill said. "But it's still a great time to buy and sell. If you bought a house today compared to 10 years ago, your house payment would only be up 17 percent. That's really incredible. Taxes are down. Prices are down. Interest rates are down. We know things are going to come back up, so if you're in the market, I wouldn't wait."

During October, Utah Realtors sold 2,819 homes, townhomes and condos. That's a 30 percent increase from October 2010 sales, Hill said. In addition, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.32 percent in August.

According to the Utah Association of Realtors, homes are being absorbed at record speed. The number of homes on the market statewide has come down more than 21 percent over the past year. Also, it now takes about eight months to sell an inventory of properties that previously took about 11 months to sell.

"That's really great news," said Eric Allen, director of the Utah/Idaho region for Metro Study, a provider of information to the housing industry. "If you compare us to the rest of the nation, the whole market is within the top 3 to 5 percent as far as being a healthy market."

While you might not get your listing price when selling your home, Hill and Allen said if you want to buy a new home, the difference will even out in quality.

"Homes are being built better than ever," Allen said. "They're more energy efficient, materials aren't as expensive but they're better quality."

If you want to sell a home right now, make sure you know what the homes in your neighborhood are selling for, Hill said. And small, strategic improvements can mean a great deal to the prospective buyer.

"Go outside and make the curbside appealing," he said. "You want to invite people inside. Once they're inside, have things packed away. Clutter doesn't give the potential buyer an idea of how suitable the living area might be for them."

If you're in the market to purchase a home, keep your credit rating clean and your financial status on solid ground.

"Know what you want. Look for the right floor plan that meets your lifestyle," said Allen. "I really hate to sound cliché, but it really is a great time to buy a home. We are not overloaded with home inventory, so if you can get qualified, there hasn't been a better time than now to buy."

And fewer homeowners are losing their homes to foreclosure than in 2010. Core-Logic, another firm providing real estate information and analysis, said the foreclosure rate for outstanding mortgages in September 2011 was 1.33 percent in the Ogden-Clearfield market, down from 1.67 percent in September 2010.

Utah's statewide foreclosure rate of 1.68 percent also was favorable when compared to the national rate of 3.48 percent, according to CoreLogic figures.

via standard.net

ATTENTION POTENTIAL SELLERS - There are frustrated buyers among us!!

Why is it so hard to find the right home now days with the interest rates so low and buyers willing to buy.

Would you believe it if I told you the inventory is down, seem almost impossible with all the local and national news stations talking about all the foreclosure happening all around us.

I have been working with multiple buyers looking for the right house and running into nothing but disappointment. The homes that are currently on the market are either way over priced due to the fall in the market and sellers not able to clear title,   short sale  which could take month to complete, or the homes are in need a major work and updating...UGGGH

One thing to remember when making on offer on a short sale not only do they take longer but they are usually in need of major repairs.  A family selling a short sale home has falling into a hardship of some kind. If is comes down to feeding your family or up keep of the home that is heading for foreclosure, they are going to chose to feed their family.

I keep hearing this to will pass.

As you can see  Weber County Utah's new listings for September are down 22% and year to date 15%

and in Davis County Utah's new listings for September are also down 24% and year today 17%

 

With this in mind now is a  great time to put your home on the market. DONT WAIT FOR SPRING!! If your home falls under the $300,000 price range and is in ready to sale condition this is your time to shine

Competition is at an all time low allowing you as a seller to get a higher price for your home, also now as we head into the colder months the buyers who are buying are serious buyers, and have to move. 

Most buyers dont like to move in the cold month and nestle down for a long winter nap. Now think about it not only do you have the most desirable home but you have a number of buyers looking.

If you have been thinking about selling and just can't decide let me tell you NOW is the time!!

The 8 Healthiest Housing Markets | Realtor Magazine - Salt Lake Made the list

Many of the housing markets projected to have the biggest gains into 2012 tend to be the home to major universities, strong private sector employment, or have nearby military bases, according to a list of the healthiest housing markets by Builder Magazine. Builder teamed with Hanley Wood Market Intelligence to compile its annual list of the healthiest housing markets in the country, factoring in housing projections from Moody’s Economy.com. The list was based on projected price appreciation, population growth, income growth, and improving employment picture. 

The following are the eight cities that topped Builder’s list, including projected housing permits in 2011 and 2012. 

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Minn.-Wis.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 4,511

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 10,118

Home prices here are expected to rise 8 percent next year, the highest growth projected in the 100 cities analyzed. As a hub for medical technology and headquarters for several large companies, employment is expected to grow 2.5 percent in 2012. 

2. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 1,004

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 1,650

With Colorado State University the major employer here and often ranked as one of the best cities to live in the country, households are expected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2012 and employment is expected to grow 2.6 percent. Housing permits are expected to rise 50 percent as well, according to Moody projections. 

3. Salt Lake City, Utah

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 1,294

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 1,181

With lots of high-tech businesses, Salt Lake City is poised to have some grains in employment and income in the coming year. After a drop in home prices, prices are expected to rebound and increase 4.7 percent next year. 

4. Jacksonville, Fla. 

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,284

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 4,363

Jacksonville has a strengthening employment picture, with a military presence and a growing financial services sector. Employment is expected to increase 3.2 percent in 2012. With stabilizing home prices already, prices are expected to rise 5 percent next year and housing permits are expected to double. 

5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla. 

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,708

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 7,522

This metro area is expected to reverse course with jobs forecasted to grow by 2.7 percent, home prices stabilizing, and housing permits expected to double. The rebound is expected to be mostly driven by two major projects, the CitiCentre and Resorts World Miami, are expected to add tens of thousands of jobs in coming years.

6. Charlottesville, Va. 

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 634

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 798

The city is home to the University of Virginia and also continues to attract a surge in second-home buyers from the Washington, D.C., area. Home prices are expected to rise 1 percent in 2012 and median income is forecasted to grow by 3.7 percent.

7. Colorado Springs, Colo. 

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,099

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 3,639

The biggest employers in Colorado Springs are military bases and the Air Force Academy, which are expected to see big growth when the troops from Afghanistan return. Home prices are expected to rise 2.6 percent, employment to grow by 1.4 percent, and households to increase by 1.8 percent in 2012. 

8. Oklahoma City, Okla. 

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 3,417

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 5,284

At 6.1 percent, Oklahoma City has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Furthermore, the job market is expected to continue to rise there, and incomes are projected to increase 3 percent next year. While the area has a seen a drop in home prices recently, housing prices are projected to rebound and increase 2.6 percent as Oklahoma City’s low cost of living continues to attract businesses and new households. 

See which other cities made Builder’s top 20 list. 

Source: “Healthiest Housing Markets: Mid-2011 Update,” Builder Magazine (2011)

Read More

10 Cities Where Home Prices Are Rising the Most

10 Cities Where Home Prices Have Fallen the Most

via realtormag.realtor.org

SUNDAY NFL GAME: FOX 13 viewers pick Packers/Chargers for Sunday's game - KSTU UTAH

via fox13now.com

And we will be there look for us in the stands I will be sitting next to the crazy Girl in the Packer decor dancing wildly!!!

FOX 13 viewers have spoken and say they want to see Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated Green Bay Packers visiting Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers this Sunday afternoon.

That game defeated the Giants/Patriots contest 308 votes to 100.

Thanks to everyone who went on our FOX 13 news Facebook page and voted.

Game starts at 2:05 p.m.

EARLY VOTING IS EASY...IN UTAH

Next week, Utah voters will select new city leaders as most municipalities will be holding elections.

Election Day is next Tuesday, November 8.  BUT YOU CAN STILL VOTE EARLY if you want to avoid the lines or if you don’t think you can make it to the polls on Tuesday.  EARLY VOTING IS EASY.  All you need to do is go to your early voting location and be sure to bring some form of valid identification, like a driver’s license or passport.

If you don’t know where to go to vote early, you can find your early voting location here: CHICK HERE

We know how busy you are.  But it is important to make sure that your voice is heard in the upcoming elections.  Please be sure to vote either at the polls next Tuesday, or vote early.  But remember – early voting ends on Friday, November 4.

The foreclosure next door: saving your neighborhood | Deseret News

It is easy to spot.

The grass is crispy brown. Backyard weeds peek over the top of a 6-foot-tall fence. The trees are dead and swarming with insects. Fading notices are duct taped to the broken garage door and to the front door. Old newspapers and a sack of phonebooks sit on the sagging porch. It is the foreclosure next door — a symbol of pain and sadness and a harbinger of property values dropping.

See all 10 photos | Click to enlarge

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Gaynell Instefjord is a real estate agent working in foreclosures. Instefjord shows how the kitchen cupboards were stripped from a foreclosed home by the previous owner of a home in Midvale.

Story graphics

Graphic

Graphic

Gaynell Instefjord has seen it all. For more than a dozen years the associate broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Sandy, Utah has worked selling foreclosed houses for several bank clients. In the best of circumstances, she says, it is a long process.

But it isn’t the best of circumstances right now. In Utah, where Instefjord works, foreclosures totaled 6,567 during the third quarter, ranking the state in 6th place for the most filings. Foreclosures fell 39 percent from the previous year. Nationwide, foreclosure filings fell 38 percent to 214,855 in September.

This means that few people don't have a foreclosed or abandoned home in their neighborhood. There are things that neighbors can do, however, to preserve property values and maybe even get the home sold.

The Process

The process to foreclose takes time. The bank has to wait for three consecutive missed payments before it can issue a notice of default. Then another three months go by to give the homeowner a chance to fix the problem. The bank then files a notice of trustee sale. About 30 days later the trustee sale occurs and the foreclosure is complete. In all, it's a seven-month process. "That's the quickest it can happen," Instefjord says. "The process is dictated by the trust deed and note the borrower signed when purchasing the property."

But it doesn't have to go that fast.

Some banks, particularly with the high number of defaults these days, may wait for more than 12 months of missed payments before starting the process.

This means the bank is not the owner of the abandoned home until it is foreclosed. It can't keep weeds down and secure the property against vandalism. It can't board up broken windows and tarp a leaky roof to protect the house against further damage.

"Neighbors get upset that the house sits and looks bad and they wonder why somebody doesn't do anything about it," Instefjord says. "The reality is as long as the consumer owns the property, the bank can't do anything to it at all."

Behind Foreclosed Doors

Kitchen cabinets are torn down. Sinks and bathtubs are taken out. The baseboards are ripped out. Heating elements are removed from water heaters. Bleach is poured on carpets. Some people are not happy about losing their home.

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via deseretnews.com

How to Choose a Home to Buy

If you’re ready to start looking for your dream home, and you’ve narrowed your search to a few select neighborhoods, take these following tips to heart:

1. Types of homes. Choose the type of home that is the most appealing yet practical for you. In addition to single family homes, there are multifamily homes, condominiums and co-ops. Multi-family homes are often good for first time home buying because they can have rental income to help with their mortgage.

2. Budget and investment considerations. Find a balance between your needs, wants and budget. Decide whether you should buy a newly  constructed home, a bit older home or a “fixer-upper”. If you may sell your home in the future, the following are best for re-sell value:

Homes with 3 or more bedrooms; condos with 2 or more
Homes with “curb appeal” always sell best
Homes that are NOT unusual or unique and not the most expensive on the block

3. While house-hunting you will probably look at many homes for sale, so keep careful and complete notes and compare.

4. When you finally find your dream home, don’t hesitate! If you snooze, you may lose!

1 Day to Halloween in Utah - Halloween Health and Safety Tips

[[posterous-content:jqrstaDomBjEIpdqyyFI]]Most people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats. However, roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year, and falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween. Many Halloween-related injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities. Parents can help prevent children from getting injured at Halloween by following these safety tips

 

Safty first when picking a costume make sure there is not tripping or dangerous accessories.

Avoid going alone and always walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape

Examine have a adult look over your candy for tampering packages

 

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime this will help you mother from grounding you because you stained the sheets.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Leave Never leave the group or run ahead or linger behind the group

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road stay as far away from traffic as possible

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, so you can see where you are going at all times

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. And only eat homemaked treats from people you know and have been approved by your parents

Never (Enter) homes unless  you're with a trusted adult.

Never walk near lit candles or lite pumpkin. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes

It has been a blast providing you with 31 Day of fun for the month of October!!!

Now if you are needing help with you real estate needs I am here to help give me a call today 

Lori Fleming 801-940-9560

2 Days to Halloween in Utah - Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Hunt Mysteries of Salt Lake and Layton Utah

~ HUNT MYSTERIES ~

•   Jerry Potter and the Dark Decoy  UT  The Castle in Layton - www.huntmysteries.com - Hotline: 801-569-1482

 

•   Jerry Potter and the Dark Decoy    -    UT    -     Spaghetti Mamas    -     www.huntmysteries.com - Hotline: 801-569-1482

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Every murder mystery dinner theater performance includes a few top-notch song-and-dance numbers, tons of fun but not offensive comedy - and an emphasis on audience participation, including several opportunities for guests to shine in small-but-fun roles.

Our performances are great for dinner groups from 20 to several hundred, and we are flexible in adjusting according to the location and size of the event.

Guests get to sleuth like Columbo, Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes - questioning the actors one-on-one and solving a fun but challenging murder mystery. So join us for a great time full of laughs and fun that the whole family can enjoy. Hunt Mysteries murder mystery dinner theater, entertainment at its very best!

 

via huntmysteries.com

 

3 Days to Halloween in Utah - Haunted Fort Douglas Cemetery Tour

Fort Douglas Cemetery Tour
421Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah
-------------------------------------------
October 29, 2011
3:00 – 7:00 pm
Fund Raiser for the Fort Douglas Museum
$5.00 for Adults
$3.00 for Children (12 and under)
$15.00 for Immediate Family

Hear about Clem
the Fort's Resident Ghost !

Come visit some of our more interesting citizens who are now resting in the old Fort Douglas Cemetery. Listen to real stories of their former lives and how they found their way to such a captivating place. History will be told by actors in costume and will be suitable for all ages. Bring the whole family and enjoy a tour of the cemetery.

Faceless Officer stands guard over the fallen soldiers at Fort Douglas Military Cemetery, Utah

Call 801-581-1251 for more information or check our web page www.fortdouglas.org.

4 Days to Halloween in Utah - Rocky Horror Picture Show - Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden, UT

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Peery's Egyptian Theater

Continuing its annual celebration of all things campy, the Egyptian will present The Rocky Horror Picture Show this Halloween. Don't miss out!

Date: 2011-10-28
Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Price: $12

Special Information: Ages 17+. Costume and dance competition pre-show at 7:45pm. All tickets include admission to screening and prop bag for audience participation. No outside props allowed. Film is rated R.

For more event details click here.

via smithstix.com

 

5 Days to Halloween in Utah - Night at the Museum » Union Station

TICKETS | Tickets are $15 each.  Purchase in the Union Station business office or online.          PURCHASE  TICKETS ONLINE

TOUR INFORMATION | Tours last about 45 minutes.  This is a walking tour through Union Station upstairs and downstairs into the basement vaults, in the dark.  You will be guided by professional paranormal investigators who have investigated the Station. Guides will tell you their experiences, show you their methods and detection equipment in action as you go along on a real ghost hunt.  You are welcome to bring your own equipment and camera’s.  Age 14 and up only.  Groups are limited to 10 people. Tours meet in the Grand Lobby, please arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour.

via theunionstation.org

Night at the Museum
Get your scary on and prepare to hunt ghosts inside and under Union Station. Professional paranormal investigators lead tours of small groups of up to 12 guests through the dark hallways and into the vaults under the Historic Train Depot. Tours start in the Grand Lobby and leave every 20 minutes from 7pm to midnight. You may bring your camera and recording devices and try to capture your own evidence. Guides will have their equipment for you to see in action. To tour you must be at least 14 years old or over and able to climb up and down stairs. Tours last about 45 minutes. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your tour.
Friday, October 28, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Ogden Union Station
2501 Wall Ave
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 393-9890

How to secure your home during a foreclosure | ksl.com

SALT LAKE CITY — A vacant home is a tempting target for all sorts of criminal activities, like vandalism and even illegal drug operations. Take a look at a few statistics regarding bankruptcies and foreclosures: According to the United States Bankruptcy Court, bankruptcy filings in Utah have increased 7 percent so far this year, even though the national rate has fallen 10 percent.

Although Utah’s rate of foreclosure filings during the third quarter of 2011 dropped from the second quarter, the state is still ranked among the nation’s Top 10 for rate of default filings in that time period.

As people foreclose on their homes, neighborhoods deal with the increased potential for crime. When a home becomes vacant, either through a foreclosure, repossession or even when the owners leave for an extended vacation, it’s important to make sure the property remains secure.

Malicious or unintentional property damage can end up costing banks and homeowners money, and property insurance may not cover it all. Guarding against accidents and break-ins is crucial, since the homeowner is still liable for the property during the process of foreclosure. Experts recommend thoroughly securing the property and the home before moving out, and paying close attention to the details.

Before you secure your home, realize there are certain things you shouldn’t overlook. It’s also a good idea to make sure the property doesn’t look vacant. If potential vandals, thieves and trespassers believe there is still someone living at the property, they’re less likely to target the home.

Here are some tips to consider:

 

• Lock up — All it takes is one window left unlocked, and the insurance company could deny any potential claim. Check all the entrances to your home — and then check them again.
• Winterize — Before a home is left vacant for any length of time, shut the water off at the main valve. You should also drain the water from the plumbing systems, and push the leftover water out with compressed air. Even a small leak can lead to a big problem, potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
• Maintain the property —
  Quick Look

  Keeping your foreclosure safe
  

  • Lock up
  • Winterize
  • Maintain the property
  • Ask for help
  • Unplug
  • Test and retest

  Property preservation companies offer services to give a vacant property a “lived in” look. They’ll maintain the yard, pick up mail and newspapers, shovel snow from the driveway, and remove debris. Companies like these offer services to homeowners and banks, so a vacant property can be maintained indefinitely.

• Ask for help — Former neighbors and friends can lend a hand with maintaining the property when it becomes vacant. Ask them to occasionally check up on the home or lot, and check for leaks, turn the blinds and monitor for trespassers.
• Unplug — An appliance that is set to “off” still draws a little power, so make sure everything inside the home and garage is unplugged. Before the electricity to the home gets shut off, pulling the plug can ensure a potential fire doesn’t start.
• Test and retest — Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as security alarms, should all be functioning properly. Make sure there are fresh batteries in the units, and test them before vacating the property.

“While foreclosure activity in September and the third quarter continued to register well below levels from a year ago, there is evidence that this temporary downward trend is about to change direction, with foreclosure activity slowly beginning to ramp back up,” says James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. Even though going through a foreclosure is a stressful time, ensuring your property and home are secure can save a lot of headaches in the future.

via ksl.com

 

Staging a Home For Sale During The Holidays

While the holidays are a favorite time of year for millions, it’s definitely not their favorite time to buy a home. The housing market plunges between the months of November and January as people put turkey dinners, tinsel and trees on the top of their lists and house hunting on the bottom. However, if you really need to sell during the holiday season, it does have a few advantages: shoppers are typically more serious and the competition is calmer. If you are committed to putting your house for sale at this most wonderful time of the year, consider these tips:

1. Decorate your home festively, but don’t go overboard and cover up important features. Also, put treats out for buyers and crank up the heat for a cozy winter escape.
2. Post top-quality photos and videos of your house on the web. Many buyers do their shopping from the warmth of their homes when the weather is bitter.
3. Make sure your curb appeal is striking! Keep fallen leaves raked and snow neatly groomed.
4. Get yourself a reliable real estate agent and seek out serious buyers such as work re-locators.
5. As always, price to sell!!

6 Days to Halloween in Utah - South Ogdens The Ghouls and Goblins Festival

Ghouls & Goblins Festival

Down-town area businesses are hosting the First Annual Ghouls & Goblins Festival!
 

BANK OF UTAH - BURCH CREEK MERCANTILE - FRESH MARKET

PRESCHOOL EXPRESS - SOCCER CONNECTION - THE LOOK - TONY'S

via southogdencity.com

The Ghouls and Goblins Festival, starting Monday, is spread along Washington Boulevard between 39th and 40th streets.

Burch Creek Mercantile, at 3920 Washington Blvd., is selling pumpkin and licorice-flavored ice cream cones from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. On Tuesday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the shop hosts a Halloween-themed dinner; $7 tickets must be purchased in advance.

Free fun starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and continues until 8 p.m., when Burch Creek Mercantile holds a dance for seniors and Preschool Express (3940 Washington Blvd.) hosts a make-it-and-take-it craft time for kids. A free family game night will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, at the mercantile, while The Look Salon, 443 39th St., offers free face painting.

Burch Creek Mercantile is also headquarters for a costume contest from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Fresh Market serves up fresh chili, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that same night, in the Bank of Utah parking lot at 40th and Washington Boulevard; the cost is $1.

A Spook Alley, behind Tony’s Pizza, at 403 39th St., will be scaring visitors from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 28. Admission is a donation of one can of food for charity. Donations will be accepted starting Oct. 24, at the Bank of Utah.

A dance contest, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Burch Creek Mercantile, features the songs “Thriller,” “Monster Mash” and “Ghost Busters.”

For more information, call 801-605-3384 or visit the South Ogden City website, www.southogdencity.com.

THIS IS FALSE !!! I just talked to my Advisor... If you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it?

The National Association of REALTORS is all over this and working to 
get it repealed, before it takes effect. But, I am very pleased we
aren't the only ones who know about this ploy to steal billions from
unsuspecting homeowners.

 

How many REALTORS do you think will vote Democratic in 2012?

Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a
3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When didthis happen? It's in the health care bill and goes into effect in
2013.

Why 2013? Could it be to come to light AFTER the 2012 elections? So,
this is "change you can believe in"?

Under the new health care bill all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% Sales Tax.If you sell a $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax.

 

This bill is set to screw the retiring  generation who often downsize
their homes.  Does this make your November and 2012 vote more
important?

Oh, you weren't aware this was in the Obamacare bill? Guess what, you aren't alone. There are more than a few members of Congress that
aren't aware of it either!

http://www.gop.gov/blog/10/04/08/obamacare-flatlines-obamacare-taxes-home>

 
VOTERS NEED TO KNOW YOUR VOTE COUNTS.